This Storyline Makes UCLA's Chesney Most Intriguing College Coach

Bob Chesney is coming to Westwood with high expectations. Sometimes, that pressure to perform is just too much to handle.

UCLA fans have a lot to be excited about heading into the 2026 season, and new head coach Bob Chesney plays a major role in bringing that spark back to the Bruins fan base.

That’s not for no reason either. Chesney brings an impressive resume to UCLA and has been a proven winner and mastermind on the offensive side of the ball. Now, Chesney must prove he deserves to get national recognition as one of the better head coaches in college football.

While he’s had an impressive resume at his past schools, he faces his greatest test yet. Taking on a 3-9 Big Ten team is no small task, and if he can turn this program around, it will speak volumes as to the kind of coach he really is.

Chesney Ranked Ahead of College Football Season

Speaking of recognition on a national scale, Pat Forde with Sports Illustrated released a list recognizing “The 25 Most Intriguing College Football Coaches for 2026,” with Chesney ranked at No. 18.

That may seem low, and frankly, it is, given the amount of intrigue Chesney brings. UCLA has been without much excitement in years, and Chesney’s resume thus far proves he can be a winner on a large scale.

One of the more intriguing parts of his climb is that it directly compares with what we saw from Curt Cignetti during his days at James Madison. He performed well as the Dukes' head coach and then took on a desperate Indiana squad that competed at a high level in the Big Ten in year one under Cignetti (sound familiar?).

Who is more intriguing than Chesney after what we saw Cignetti do? The cards are in place for Chesney to cause real commotion in the Big Ten, and this season it looks like he has the tools to do it.

As the article stated, Chesney is tasked this season with finally unlocking the full potential of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, which can seem like a tall task. With a roster full of untapped potential just waiting to be unleashed, it seems like UCLA is filled with intrigue from top to bottom.

The college football season is almost upon us, and hopefully, soon we’ll finally see if the hype has been worth all the excitement for Bruins fans.

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